Nearly three years ago, St. Luke Covenant Brethren Church installed chimes that broadcast beautiful music four times a day. I first heard this sitting on my porch one morning having my quiet time with God but have since heard them in my treestand, in my turkey blind, and at various other places within earshot of that church.
Sometimes the wind blows in the other direction preventing the notes from reaching my ear but often they are very clear. They usually compose the score of familiar worship hymns that direct my thoughts and prayers toward God.
One morning as I was enjoying the church bells, an airplane approached partially drowning out the music. Then a construction vehicle somewhere in our community started backing up with the accompanying beeps and then a neighbor’s dog began to bark.
By the time a few cars passed, the chimes were completely indiscernible. The music had not stopped but my ability to hear it had due to all the competition.
In that moment I realized how often our communication with God is similar. He’s not silent but we do need to be still in order to hear Him. We need to pause from all of our busyness and get away to that quiet place to perceive His voice.
This may require getting up early before household noises have gotten into full swing. It certainly means turning off the television, radio, and perhaps even our cell phone. It also involves mentally setting aside the pressing duties screaming for our attention. It takes some discipline to withdraw from the normal fray but the rewards are worth it.
Jesus Himself withdrew from the crowds and even His disciples in order to be alone with His Father. We find Him doing this particularly at times prior to some major decision or ministry challenge. Even the Son of God had to turn off the competing voices in order to hear His Father clearly.
During these quiet times, we can listen to God talking through His Word. Many people who claim God never speaks to them fail to read His love letter. In the Bible God speaks most clearly and directly and if we would hear His voice, we must read these sacred pages.
In addition, devotional booklets like Our Daily Bread, The Upper Room and others can also be means through which God talks to us. We must remember that these other books are not equivalent to God’s inerrant Word, but He can converse with our souls through them nonetheless.
All of our reading and meditating must be done in an attitude of prayer. Although prayer is often defined as talking to God, it is more accurately described as talking with God. Too often we close our eyes and hand Him our wish list before jumping up and leaving with a quick Amen.
How much sweeter to just stay in His presence and invite Him to speak and then listen to what He has to say. It may not be audible, but since believers have the Holy Spirit within us, God can speak into our minds and hearts what He wants us to hear.
He may give us guidance about some pressing problem or even correction for a misstep we have taken. Many times, however, it’s just a sweet word of affirmation and assurance of His presence. But we have to be still and know that He is God and listen before we’ll hear Him speak.
Busy homes, workplaces, and schedules are not ideal for these conversations with God, so it’s important to seek out times and locations with the least distractions possible. Once we start to experience God in this way, we begin to look forward to these times and then we actively guard them fiercely.
The next time you hear some church bells ringing, remember that God is always speaking and then take the time to listen.
Blessings, George